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Theravada is one of the two main divisions of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana.

During the reign of Emperor Asoka in India the third Council was held in Pataliputta (308 BC). The existing heresies and deviations in the religion were expelled and a volume containing the teachings of the council was compiled. This book, the Kathavatthu, contained the "teachings of the Elders" or Theravada. These books were sent to different parts of India and Sri Lanka.

Theravada also came to be known as Hinayana, the "Inferior Vehicle", but this term is recognized now as being obsolete and pejorative.

Theravada is the more austere branch of Buddhism, following more closely to the earlier forms of Buddhist practice. The main goal of the Theravada is the achievement of Arahant (one who has achieved Nirvana). In Theravada philosophy, each being is responsible for attaining Nirvana independently, thus allowing himself to guide others efficiently. The discriminative term 'Inferior Vehicle' thus came to be in opposition to Theravada by followers of Mahayana where the popular belief is that bodhisattva's are eternal and should help all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.

Historically, it has been dominant in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand (formerly Siam), and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon).

Buddha Purnima is a major Spring festival in Theravada Buddhism.

External link

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/theravada.html "What is Theravada?"

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 '''Theravada''' is one of the two main divisions of [[Buddhism]], the other being [[Mahayana]].
-During the reign of Emperor [[Asoka]] in [[India]] the [[third Council]] was held in [[Pataliputta]] ([[308 BC]]). The existing heresies and deviations in the religion were considered and a book containing the teachings of the council was compiled. This book, the ''Kathavatthu'', contained the "teachings of the Elders" or Theravada. These books were sent to different parts of [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]].
+During the reign of Emperor [[Asoka]] in [[India]] the [[third Council]] was held in [[Pataliputta]] ([[308 BC]]). The existing heresies and deviations in the religion were expelled and a volume containing the teachings of the council was compiled. This book, the ''Kathavatthu'', contained the "teachings of the Elders" or Theravada. These books were sent to different parts of [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]].
-Theravada also came to be known as '''Hinayana''', the "Small Way" or "Smaller Vehicle", but this term is sometimes considered pejorative.
+Theravada also came to be known as '''Hinayana''', the "Inferior Vehicle", but this term is recognized now as being obsolete and pejorative.
-Theravada is the more austere branch of Buddhism, following more closely to the earlier forms of Buddhist practice. The main goal of the Theravada is the achievement of ''Arahant'' (one who has achieved [[Nirvana]]). In Theravada philosophy, each being is responsible for attaining Nirvana independently, thus allowing himself to guide others efficiently. The discriminative term 'Inferior Vehicle' thus came to be in opposition to Theravada by followers of [[Mahayana Buddhism|Mahayana]] where the popular belief is that bodhisattva's are eternal and ''should'' help ''all'' sentient beings achieve enlightenment.
+Theravada is the more austere branch of Buddhism, following more closely to the earlier forms of Buddhist practice. The main goal of the Theravada is the achievement of ''Arahant'' (one who has achieved [[Nirvana]]). In Theravada philosophy, each being is responsible for attaining Nirvana independently, thus allowing himself to guide others efficiently. The discriminative term 'Inferior Vehicle' thus came to be in opposition to Theravada by followers of [[Mahayana Buddhism|Mahayana]] where the popular belief is that bodhisattva's are eternal and ''should'' help all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.
 Historically, it has been dominant in [[Myanmar]] (formerly Burma), [[Thailand]] (formerly Siam), and [[Sri Lanka]] (formerly Ceylon).